The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1887-02-19
AROUND THE BARN

Useful Suggestions Wn.ch should BE Given
Tral by Those Interested
In hitching horses in stalls give rope
enough only to allow the animal to get
his nose down to the floor, or very near
there. Better still-a plan adopted by
many-attach a weight to the innercnd
of the hitching strap, giving the latter
| free and easy play over roller or
smooth substance. The weight should
be sufficiently heavy to insure that no
slack occur in the hitching strap, which
should have no more weight than
needed. Colts or horses that have been
entangled in the stall in the manner
referred to are very likely, later on. to
struggle fiercely, if, through any mis-
hap, they have trouble while in har-
ness. Hired men and boys very seldom
have any system in hitching, but the
sliding strap is a reliable system within
itself, and, like rubber band. never
slips.
bv filing its pores with oil of some
kind. Neatsfoot oil, obtained from
the feet of cattle, is regarded as best
for the purpose; but castor oil, the
same as that employed incidentally,
has been found OF great value in soft
eniug leather. The usual method is to
take the harness apart, wash 1t with
soap and water. allow it to partly dry.
and then oil and put the parts together.
1t is regarded as better way to 1rst
oil the harness throughout with castor
oil and lamp black warmed. so that II
. will penetrate the leather readily.
Then 90 over the parts of the harness
with q sponge dipped in warm SOAP
suds, which win remove all the dirt
When dry, 90 over the whole with
mixture of equal parts of neatsfoot oil
and tallow, melted together, witt
enough lamp-black or powdered frus
! sian blue to give sufficient color. APP
: ply this in small quantities, well rubbed
! In. to leave smooth, clean surface.
Horses get some rest standing. pro
{ vided the position be reasonably easy
: but no full rest except recumbent-
y is known of some horses that the
Z never lie down in stall, though
= kept in pasture they take their res
u habitually in q recumbept position
,. II is we'll to consider whether this habl
d has not been forced upon the horse .
& some circumstance connected with tn
y stall he was made to occupy, in that
had muddy dirt floor, or one made
dilapidated plank. uncomfortable an
offensive to the horse that has been ~
customcd to select his own bed in tt
10 pasture lot. II the horse can have II
~ privilege of selecting his own positio
- Tor resting in the standing position, B
70 can sleep standing; but while q
. muscles may be. to degree. reiaxe'
of and get rest in this position, what ca
r. we saw of the bearings at the joint
or Without relief through the recumpe
at position, the ioint-surfaces are forc'
he to bear q weight, varying from o.
10. Thousand to one thousand eight hundr
y. pounds. continuously. This must 2
or unfavorably. especially upon the col
ms plicated structures within the. moo
'se which nature intended should na
rk periods of rest each day. 1t VIII
en- we'll, before the horses and cattle
y, nut up for the coming winter to set
m the question of comfort by repairi
Ip- the doors and providing abundant b
as ding.
ed When at the end OF their season
all work. farm machines are stored aw
Of until again required for use, tn
rid driving bands and belts shouts
sh. thoroughly impregnated with cas-
no. oil. This will keep the leather 9
hu- and flexible and ready for USE 1
bands and belts should be remov
from the machines and stored IN I'll
nos box. which will keep it from the d.
tell and also protect it from rats: wn'
mt. are often very destructive TO leath
any especially Il Il has been veil oiled
'es u Observer.